WHAT IS LGBTQ+?
LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning. This can mean a lot of different things, but in general: A girl attracted to other girls is a lesbian. A guy who likes other guys is gay. A bisexual is someone who finds themselves attracted to both people of their own gender and another gender. People who are transgender identify as a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth. Someone who is physically a girl may feel more like a boy. Some people may have surgeries so they can change their bodies to fit their gender identity. Queer is used as an umbrella term for all those who are no heterosexual or cisgender. The plus is a symbol for members of the LGBTQ+ community who identify with a sexual orientation or gender identity that isn’t included in the acronym. Finally, questioning is used for people who are unsure of their sexual orientation and gender identity; they are still figuring it out, and that’s okay.
There are a lot of different identities and labels being used these days. To learn more, check out these resources: